Frecciarossa High-Speed Train to Connect Munich Directly to Milan and Rome by December 2026
Munich, April 8 – Travelers from Munich will soon be able to journey directly to Milan and Rome on the Italian Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed train, with services slated to begin in December 2026. This highly anticipated connection marks a significant expansion of international rail travel from Bavaria.
Extensive Test Runs Scheduled for May 2026
The Frecciarossa 1000, manufactured by Hitachi and Alstom, is currently undergoing an extensive approval process for operation in Germany and Austria. Following initial test runs in the Italian network in 2025, the first adapted Frecciarossa 1000 train was recently transferred across the Brenner Pass to Germany for technical testing. A railway spokesperson confirmed to the German Press Agency (dpa) that comprehensive test runs in Germany and Austria are scheduled to begin in May 2026.
These test runs are crucial for ensuring the train’s compatibility with the varying infrastructure, signaling systems, and power supplies across the three countries – Germany, Austria, and Italy. While specific locations for the test runs have not yet been disclosed by Deutsche Bahn (DB), their successful completion is a prerequisite for the planned service launch.
Faster Travel Times and Attractive Stopovers
Once operational, the Frecciarossa 1000 will significantly reduce travel times for passengers. The Munich-Milan route is expected to take approximately six and a half hours, while the Munich-Rome journey, including stops in Bologna and Florence, will be around eight and a half hours. This represents a saving of about 75 minutes compared to current routes with transfers to Milan, and 45 minutes to Rome.
Passengers can look forward to attractive intermediate stops in Innsbruck, Bolzano, and Verona, enhancing the travel experience. Initially, one daily connection in each direction is planned for both routes.
Future Expansion Plans and the Brenner Base Tunnel
The long-term vision includes expanding the service to five daily round trips between Germany, Austria, and Italy. Furthermore, there are plans to extend the routes to Berlin in Germany and Naples in Italy, with these extensions anticipated to be in place by the end of 2028.
A major improvement to travel times is also expected with the opening of the Brenner Base Tunnel, scheduled for the end of 2032. This new tunnel is projected to reduce journey durations by approximately another hour, further enhancing the efficiency of cross-border rail travel.
Frecciarossa 1000: A Closer Look at the High-Speed Train
The Frecciarossa 1000, which has been operating in Italy since 2015, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 400 kilometers per hour. However, it will typically operate at 300 km/h on these routes, aligning with ICE train speeds. The 200-meter-long trains offer four classes of service: Standard, Premium, Business, and the luxurious “Executive Class,” which boasts oversized leather seats and an Italian gourmet menu.
Ticket prices are yet to be finalized but will be integrated into the familiar DB pricing system, offering both saver and flexible fares. Gianpiero Strisciuglio, CEO of Trenitalia, highlighted the train’s proven ability to overcome obstacles, noting its existing route across the Alps from Milan to Paris.
Ambitious Timeline and Expert Perspectives
While the December 2026 launch is eagerly awaited, experts consider the timeline to be ambitious. Andreas Barth, spokesperson for the passenger association Pro Bahn, told the AZ that the schedule is subject to reservations made by the transport companies themselves. He pointed out the complexities of different approval authorities, power systems, and signaling technologies across the three countries, all of which require significant time and effort to harmonize.
The planned extension to Berlin by 2028 introduces additional challenges, particularly concerning capacity. However, the collaboration between the three transport companies – Trenitalia, ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways), and Deutsche Bahn – is seen as a facilitating factor. Sabine Stock, Board Member for Passenger Transport at ÖBB, emphasized that none of these connections could have been realized individually, highlighting the value of shared expertise, such as ÖBB’s experience with its night train service from Munich to Rome, launched last year.
Michael Peterson, DB Board Member for Passenger Transport, underscored the project’s significance as “a strong symbol for a growing Europe.” Both he and Stock anticipate strong passenger numbers, attributing it to the appealing combination of the high-quality train, attractive travel times, and beautiful tourist destinations.
Source: Abendzeitung München
